The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-12-21

| oHoh hSA
post. One life she know was in danger,
and that was to her more than all others
in the world.
With flying feet, with desperate re.
solve forming in her brain, she hastened
homeward, but did not enter the house
dared not for fear of the thwarting OF
her purpose. As she passed the window
she sa n her old father nodding in his
chair, and a satisfied smile parted her
lips. For all the hidden wealth OF
mountain and canyon she would not have
him waken.
Well she knew the swiftest and most
untiring horse in the stable. That 1t
was one she had never ridden, q young
tiery, valuable blue blooded stallion, she
never gave a thought. Speed and courage
were the things now to be desired, and
all other considerations, even her own
safety, were dwarfed into nothingness by
them.
With soothing voice and gentle hands
the girl led the horse out, bridled, sad
died and mounted. Astonished by her
daring, he quietly submitted. The charm
of womanhood had easily accomplished
what had ever been difficult task for
men. Then, startled by the unusual
burden and tapping of skirts about his
flank, he reared, plunged, paved the air,
kicked vigorously and made desperate
effort to unseat the rider. 1t was unsuc-
cessful. The hands that held the relns,
little as they were, had grip of iron, and
the whip left welt upon the glossy skin:
Madly sinking h 8 head, dashlng out
with his heels, with the breath whlstllng
through the thin nostrils, he made a
second attempt; shivered as he received
a still more singing blow, then dashed
furiously down the road.
The clatter OF hoofs disturbed the
dreams of the d farmer. He sprang to
the window, but only to catch an indls-
t;nct vision OF something, glanced at the
clock, murmured contentedly OF having
ar hour before going for Nellie, and set
tied himself for another nap.
Little idea had he that his only child
and costly steed were indulging in the
| widest of races under sky lighted as
by the flames of hell and surrounded by
its fires.
The switchman saw the girl as she flew
past; saw the swift galloping horse. the
rider with her long hair streaming in the
wind, the horse as if breathing smoke.
saw without recognition, and superstl-
tiousy imagined that the ghost OF some
red child of the wilderness, whose bones
had been disturbed in building the iron
track of the pale face, was out for a mid
night revel.
For considerable distance the road
was over the undulating prairie, and both
horse and rider enjoyed the race; then
they we're forced upon the ties, and the
heavily shod hoofs clattercd along the
bridges; then they left it and safety and
plunged upon narrow thread of beaten
earth, with fire swiftly rushing toward it
from either side.
The horse, brave and blooded as he was,
hesitated, as we'll he might; but the hand
of the rider was firm and the whip merci-
less. A brief hour had transformed the
gentle girl into a woman maddencd by
love and superior to danger. The one
idea that had taken possession OF brain
and pulsing heart remained permanent.
John King was in danger of being con-
sumed. She must save him Or
And very soon the horse became mad
as we'll. With long and seemingly tire
less strides he stretched himself His
dark skin was fccked with foam, his
sides were heaving as bellows, like
escaping ste I'm his breath was blown, his
eyes were red with exertion and his frame
trcmbled with excitement.
On, on they psesscd, on thus far in
little danger, for the fire was yet at
distance. But with every moment 1t
beca re nearer, nearer, closed upon them
and blazing sparks fell thlckly as rain.
On, on. and the flames leaped upward
and at times closed over their heads;
they were rushing as through tunnel of
Kissing, roaring fire; it was crowding in
upon them, was beneath their feet, was
playing in fantastic shapes around and
above.
Mad as the girl was with desire to
reach her lover the horrors of the situa-
tiou were forced upon her brain. She
bowed her head to the fiery storm,
shielded her fa"e and often extingulshed
her blazing dress; spoke encouragingly
to the horse, patted his quiveriug neck,
used the deep cutting lash, cutting a
hundre times more cruelty, for his sides
were cracking with the heat and blood
was 90 ing from the blistered wounds.
On, still on, but more slowly at every
stride, with steps less firm and secure,
breath more scant, courage less high and
pace less swift. Never yet stced that
could long bear such fearful strain;
never flesh that could resist prairie fire
with hundreds of acres of dry, tall grass
and reeds for fuel and famed by a gale.
On! The girl shielded her eyes with
her trembling hands, and above the
smoke saw the waving Of trees. AS yet
the furious FIRE had not reached, at least
not penetrated them. There was life,
safety, and, more than all. lo'e Could
she reach them? A scanty half mile had
vet to be travelled. Instinct, often as
clear to discover as mind, told the horse
of the situation as clearly as her eyes.
She called upon him, and he answered;
she bowed to the saddle, she shut her
eyes and then!
The flames swirled around, they were
wrapped as in winding sheet of them,
the red. forked tongues touched them
with blistcring kisses, the wind roarcd
through the gigantic furnace, the earth
was hot bene lth, the air burning above;
deer, wolf, every creeping thing were
outfooted in the race, were beaten down
by swift death, and how could they
possibly escape!
On! Between them and the sheltering
trees but few rods remained; but
few feet. Could they bc overcome!